Fallout 4 allows you to recruit up to 13 unique companions, all different from one another. That's more than any other previous installment in the Fallout series, and it certainly gives you a lot of options. When I first started to play, I was overwhelmed at this thought. I wanted to find, recruit and get to know all of them. But where do I start? At first I sort of just went with the flow. I recruited the first few easy companions that were available (such as Dogmeat, Codsworth and Preston), and figured I'd find somebody else along the way as I traveled across the Commonwealth.
As I stumbled into Goodneighbor and explored every nook and cranny, I inevitably stumbled into the Third Rail. After listening to the argument between MacCready and his Gunner friends, I struck up a conversation and learned that he was a recruitable companion. I felt as if I remembered hearing his name from somewhere, but it was lodged deep in my memory bank and couldn't quite recall. I had the caps and decided "why not?" I had been travelling with Piper for quite some time at this point and figured it was time for a change in scenery.
My first impression was that he was unremarkable. A simple mercenary for hire. But, I persevered. Surely, there must be something interesting that I will learn if I keep him on as a companion. Sure enough, MacCready stops me one lovely afternoon and asks to talk. I opened my ears, as I eagerly awaited to hear what this guy's deal was.
As he talked about his past, the memories came flooding back. He is in fact, the same MacCready who was once the oh-so-delightful mayor of Little Lamplight in Fallout 3. I felt a bit idiotic for not realizing this sooner, but to be fair, I (and many others) try to think about Little Lamplight as little as possible when reminiscing about Fallout 3. I dislike children in general, and MacCready's treatment when I played as the Vault Dweller was a particularly unpleasant experience for me.
At this point, I had mixed feelings. Thinking about what a rude and disrespectful little shit he used to be left a bitter taste in my mouth. I wasn't sure if I was ready to put the past behind me. I, admittedly, now felt as if I had a bit of a grudge with my current companion. However, on the other hand, a lot can change as you grow older.. especially in the state of the world as it is after it's been destroyed by nuclear warfare. He was proving to be quite useful in combat, and I liked that he was cool with it when I stole items and broke into people's homes. His love of sarcastic replies and asking for more money for jobs was also a positive point in my books, so I ultimately decided that he could stay. After all, I did want to get to know ALL of my companions better (whether I liked them or not), and if I didn't like him by the end of it, I would dump him off somewhere never to be seen again.
After some more time passed, I had worked up my friendship with MacCready to an even higher level and was able to start on his personal quest line. It was at this point that I realized his plight was very similar to my character's. He could relate to what I was going through after losing my spouse and trying to help my child. He too had lost somebody he loved. He too had a child who desperately needed his help. He too was haunted about some of the choices he ultimately had to make in order to survive. Like me, he was searching. We were both lost.
It was then that I decided to help a fellow parent out. The crisis that faced his young son was very real and current. I was having no luck finding my own son, so why not help somebody else's out? We stormed the Med Tek building together and were able to get the cure for his young son. It made me feel good. For the first time, I felt as if I had made a real difference.. that I had done something worthwhile during my time in the Commonwealth. Taking a break from all of the bloodshed and doing something meaningful gives you an opportunity to look at the big picture. It is impossible for me to help everybody, but taking the time to help one made a difference.
With his undying loyalty, his walls completely came down and he revealed his soft side. I really felt as if I understood him better as an individual. I understood why he did the things he did, why he acted why he did, and how life had taken it's toll. I was able to show him that kindness does exist by freeing him from the hold of the Gunners and by helping his son. He finally had some peace of mind.
I realized how much I genuinely enjoyed him now that everything was said and done. I was so fiercely determined to help him, and through it, I felt as if I had actually formed a bond with him. He was so.. human. So normal. I was able to let go of my grudge with former Mayor MacCready. It was clear to me that although I didn't like his attitude back then, he was only trying to survive the only way he knew how to. He had grown into a likable person who I could relate to.
When I first tried to romance him, he had strong reservations about the fact that we were both previously married. But that was the past.. and this is now. Our spouses were gone, and now.. we have each other. He was the first companion who I romanced.. and I have to admit that it was difficult to think about romancing anybody else for a long time afterwards. I melted at his insanely sweet and cheesy dialogue after we pronounced our love for one another. Although there will be others, there won't be another one quite like MacCready.
